Expectations from God
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
James 1:17
We all work for worldly things, such as cars, houses, vacations, health, and education. It pleases the Lord that we work for these things especially when we thank the Lord for them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well (Matthew 6:33). When we put the Lord first in our lives he will provide for our worldly needs through his power and wisdom. Do we truly seek God’s eternal gifts that he promises us through the Holy Spirit?
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; (Galatians 5:22-23). Here the Lord promises a heart of love, peace, and joy, the character of Jesus. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery (Galatians 5:1). The Lord will set us free in Christ so that we are not held in bondage. For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith (1 John 5:4). The Lord enables us to overcome the world and to walk in love that helps us to overcome fear.
Obtaining worldly things requires work, and in the same way, gaining spiritual things requires effort. Are we as motivated to attain the spiritual blessings from God as we are in attaining the physical things of this world? So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18). The Lord tells us to fix our eyes on things eternal, which are the spiritual gifts from God.
Spiritual gifts do for us what the things of this world cannot do for us. The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you–they are full of the Spirit and life. (John 6:63). The spiritual gifts from God are eternal and give life to our souls, filling us with love, peace, joy, confidence, compassion, courage, wisdom, and the mind of Christ. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son (Romans 8:29). When we accept Christ as our Savior and Lord, we are predestined to conform to the likeness of his Son.
Christians are filled with love, peace, and joy; constantly feeding their souls from the Spirit. We know Heaven is our home and do not fear physical death because eternal life with the Father and Son awaits us. Therefore, seek the good expectations from God, pray for freedom in Christ, pray for more faith, and pray for a heart of love. The Lord desires these things for you as a means of becoming more Christ-like. If we read the Word, strive for spiritual gifts, and pray, the Lord will certainly bless us. It takes patience and a strong desire, but the Lord knows what we need and he will give us spiritual gifts throughout our lives.
Today seek God’s spiritual gifts by reflecting the gifts to others: love, peace, joy, patience, and compassion. The more we give the more we receive. Spiritual gifts continually get stronger in our souls as we minister to others. Christians obtain more peace, more joy, more love, more confidence, more wisdom, etc., by serving the Lord. This continues until death, when we are infinitely blessed with all of God’s spiritual gifts.
Let’s Pray: Lord, help me to seek your spiritual gifts above anything this world can offer me. Keep my soul focused on you as I reflect Christ to everyone today. With guidance from your Holy Spirit, mold me to be more Christ-like every day. In Jesus name, Amen